This year’s Artists’ BookMarket, Edinburgh's annual celebration of artists’ book culture is coming to Leith! We’re delighted to be hosted by Custom Lane team while the refurbishment and extension works take place in The Fruitmarket Gallery’s building. As usual a fair is running over two busy weekend days with the stalls laid out to showcase a wide array of work and is complemented by a busy events and workshops programme. Visitors come from across Scotland, the north of England and beyond to make this date with artists' books and artist-led publishing.
We invite publishers, book makers and artists’ books organisations to apply for a stall. Stalls cost £85+VAT.
To enquire about running an event or workshop, feel free to pitch using this form, or to get in touch via the contact curator option. We look forward to hearing the ideas that are going to make this year's programme as much of a surprise to us as to our audience.
The Artists’ BookMarket fair is open 10am–5pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March. Expect an excellent weekend of book sales and discoveries in a new setting. Be part of our strong selection of book makers, art publishers, illustrators and designers, and artists working with book forms.
Contact the curator
What's provided as a stall?
Each stall is provided with a white linen covered trestle table (approx. 6’x2’) Freestanding displays are welcome, but please make a note on the form if you propose to bring anything which requires more than table space.
How do I get into the events and workshops programme?
Please either fill in this form, or use the contact curator function to ask for feedback on your idea before submission.
Where do talks and workshops happen?
These happen in various spaces within the Artists' BookMarket venue. Workshops tend to be capped at 12 people, and talks can accommodate up to about 30 people in the audience. This year the Artists' BookMarket takes place in Custom Lane spaces in Leith and more information regarding the practicalities of workshops and talks will be provided as required.
Can I attend for one day only?
Participants are present for both days, so that visitors know what they’re going to be able to see and buy. If you have a particular problem with either of the days but are keen to be involved, please contact us through the contact curator option to see if an arrangement is possible.
How do I pay for my stall?
Successful applicants will be invoiced after confirmation of attendance, and payment is required by bank transfer prior to Artists' BookMarket.
Is wall space provided?
No, but freestanding displays, including print browsers are welcome. While we do our best to accommodate all requests please do ask in advance.
Do I have to attend in person?
Either you, or someone you have arranged, is required to be at your stall throughout the opening hours of the fair.
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Any book artists, artist publishers or organised groups representing these areas of practice are welcome to apply. If in doubt whether you qualify, please apply – you’re probably doing something interesting!
How much does it cost?
Stalls cost £85+VAT.
What are the financial prospects for participants?
Artists’ usually aim to comfortably clear their costs on the money they make from their stalls, and we work hard to drive in good visitor numbers to make this possible.
What are the opening hours of Artists' BookMarket 2020?
The Artists’ BookMarket is open 10am–5pm on both Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Participants will be listed on the printed poster and leaflet for the event. Artists’ BookMarket and its participants will also be promoted though The Fruitmarket Gallery’s website and well-followed social media. A press release will be sent to relevant publications. An e-Flyer will be sent to the Galleries' combined mailing lists and shared with participants to circulate through their personal networks.
Does the venue have disabled access?
Yes.
What are the selection criteria?
We are looking for interesting work made using book forms in some way. We market the event as an opportunity to buy work, so usually people come expecting that, including librarians buying for collections. We have also hosted stalls of either free giveaways or work exhibited but not available for sale. We are keen to represent the range of engagement with book forms and artists publishing and welcome applications from art projects with publishing outcomes - they don't necessarily need to be craft-based.
How does Artists’ BookMarket fit in with The Fruitmarket Gallery’s programme?
Artists’ BookMarket is the first of three annual fairs established by The Fruitmarket Gallery which focus respectively on: artists’ books and publishing, design, and children’s books and design. We use our expertise in putting on exhibitions to provide supported ways into this substantial area of artists’ practice that we are excited about, and where possible we make connection points with other artists in our programmes. This year, while the refurbishment and extension works take place in The Fruitmarket Gallery's building the event will be held in Custom Lane spaces in Leith.
